For applicants from North Rhine-Westphalia
Young journalists from North Rhine-Westphalia can apply for research trips to Africa, Asia, or Latin America. These trips allow them to further their education in a new environment and, without time constraints, gain in-depth and personal insights into the perspectives and customs of a foreign culture.
There are two scholarship options available for applicants from North Rhine-Westphalia:
- 3 Monate Recherchereise
- 3-month research trip
Requirements
- Must be 35 years of age or younger at the time of application
- Experience in journalism (a college degree is preferred); specifically, this means providing proof of enrollment in a journalism program or several years of professional journalism experience
- A strong interest in development policy issues
- Fluency in the local language of the country where the research will take place
Details of the Scholarship
Scholars conduct research on a topic of their choice in a destination of their choice. The destinations are located in Africa, Asia, or Latin America. At the end of the trip, a research report is submitted to the foundation.
For a three-month scholarship, the scholarship recipient also arranges a four-week internship in the media sector in the host country.
Benefits
- Flat-rate grant for basic expenses (2,000 / 4,000 euros)
- Flat-rate travel allowance (1,500 euros)
- Flat-rate allowance for materials and transportation (350 / 450 euros each)
- Support for scholarship recipients during preparation and throughout the trip
Application Materials:
- Deadline: November 30 of each year
- Resume in table format with a photo
- Proof of education and work experience
- Proof of foreign language proficiency
- Exposé with justification / description of the research topic:
- Personal motivation
- Knowledge of the country (history / economy / politics / culture)
- Presentation of the topic
- Formulate 4–5 key research questions
Please contact the foundation before submitting your application to discuss potential travel destinations and topics. Simply send an email to heinz-kuehn-stiftung@stk.nrw.de or contact us via the contact form.
Please send your complete application materials by November 30 (deadline) to heinz-kuehn-stiftung@stk.nrw.de.
Who decides on the scholarship?
Following a preliminary selection process, individual applicants from North Rhine-Westphalia are invited to a personal interview.
The decision on the awarding of scholarships is then made by the Board of Trustees of the Heinz Kühn Foundation, upon the recommendation of the Executive Board, at the following Board of Trustees meeting.
This meeting usually takes place in March or April, so you can expect a final acceptance or rejection by the end of April.
Once accepted, scholarship recipients have one year to use the scholarship.
What should the research report look like, and when is it due?
Your research report must be submitted within six weeks of the end of the fellowship, i.e., after your trip concludes. Reports can be emailed to heinz-kuehn-stiftung@stk.nrw.de. They will be published in the Foundation’s annual yearbook.
Please note the following requirements:
- Maximum length of 30 pages
- Must address the research topic agreed upon in advance
- You have complete freedom regarding text style, image selection, and content design—feel free to get creative!
- Please have someone proofread your report before submission.
Can I also share my travel experiences in other formats?
Do you find traditional written accounts boring and feel they don’t fully capture your impressions? Alternatively, you can submit your research report in the form of a documentary of up to 30 minutes in length.
Following your trip, your research will also be featured on the foundation’s social media channels.